By Ian Holmes

Insight from the inside, part 2: unique Nanaimo prison program changing lives

Jun 26, 2018 | 6:16 PM

NANAIMO — A renowned program unique to Nanaimo’s prison played a critical role in breaking the shackles of a roller coaster life filled with drugs and violence for a man determined to turn his life around.

Dustin, 47, is fresh out of jail after spending the past year as a resident of the Guthrie Therapeutic Community (GTC) at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre — a rehab program he said far exceeded anything he experienced in other prisons.

Local judges constantly praise the 11-year-old GTC, often referencing its benefits during sentencing hearings where hard drugs led to bad decisions.

Dustin said residents of the GTC, which is staffed 24/7, represent people truly motivated for a brighter future.

“They’ve come to that stage in their life where they’ve had enough, they want to change and they’re prepared to follow the rules and do the program,” Dustin said, just prior to his release from GTC.

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Dustin was tied to the drug and criminal culture since he was 12-years-old, spending several years in jail for crimes in communities all over B.C. He was a heroin user who couldn’t function properly in society and at times was violent.

Dustin said during his most recent stint at GTC, he completely took off the mask which hid his vulnerabilities. He said shedding the mask allowed him to genuinely address his feelings, trust himself and others, as well as gain empathy, patience, and communication skills.

Dustin said conflict resolution is another critical attribute, a key pillar of the GTC program.

He said lessons of accountability healed wounds with his family. He said minimizing his faults and blaming others were past flaws he’s recognized and dealt with.

“They teach guys to be accountable for their own actions and not try to minimize their part or to deflect and put blame onto others, which is a big part of what we do down there,” Dustin told NanaimoNewsNOW.

GTC participants have on-unit access to addictions counselors and correctional staff, who Dustin said all go above and beyond.

Dustin said GTC fostered a family dynamic, much different than other prisons which he found weren’t conducive to rehabilitation

He pointed to a recent example of a resident’s grandfather passing away at GTC.

“Ten guys would approach that guy throughout the matter of a couple days to comfort him, console him and help him. The guy was overwhelmed with how much support he got. This stuff happens on a daily basis.”

Dustin said the constant support is genuine and important, noting many people in jail have chronically been under-supported in their lives.

Trauma and underlying addictions issues are explored and addressed using several different treatment models.

Dustin said he focused on post-release for months, securing a spot in a sober living house and advancing future career goals.

He said a huge danger many inmates face when they get out of a jail is suitable housing. He called securing an initial safe place free of drugs and booze as “pretty crucial.”

“Even though they’ve learned a whole bunch of skills, to be put in an environment where they’re faced with that stuff on a daily basis, it’s often just a matter of time before they might end up failing again.”

— With files from NCC deputy warden Teresa Owens and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes